cove
Cove (noun) means a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks. Example: “We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night.”
How to use cove
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, protected bay or inlet along a shoreline.
Despite sounding alike, "cove" is not historically related to "cave" — it's just a coincidental resemblance.
Word forms
coved past tense, coved past tense, coves plural, coves plural, coves singular, coves singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We anchored the boat in a quiet _____ for the night.
Etymology
From Old English cofa, meaning "chamber" or "den" — the sense narrowed over time to describe a small sheltered inlet or hollow.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cove
See all rhymes for cove →Frequently asked questions
What does “cove” mean?
The word “cove” means a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks. In plain terms, a small, protected bay or inlet along a shoreline.
How do you pronounce “cove”?
“Cove” is pronounced kohv (/koʊv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cove” in a sentence?
Here is “cove” used in a sentence: “We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night.”
What part of speech is “cove”?
“Cove” is a noun.
Where does the word “cove” come from?
The word “cove” comes from Old English. From Old English cofa, meaning "chamber" or "den" — the sense narrowed over time to describe a small sheltered inlet or hollow.
Is “cove” a common word?
“Cove” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "cove" and a "bay"?
A cove is typically a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks, while a bay is generally a larger body of water partially enclosed by land. Coves are usually more intimate in scale and offer more shelter from open water than bays.
Is a cove always found on a coastline bordered by rocks?
A cove is often bordered by cliffs or rocks, which contributes to its sheltered, enclosed feel, though the exact landscape can vary from one cove to another along different coastlines.
Why are coves considered sheltered compared to open coastline?
Coves are small inlets that cut into the coastline, and their surrounding cliffs or rocks provide natural protection from wind and waves, making them calmer than the open, exposed sections of a coast.